Cyprus and Israel to resume talks on shared gas reservoir

Technocrats from Cyprus and Israel are scheduled to hold online discussions next week to address technical issues concerning the exploitation of a shared natural gas reservoir. The disputed area lies between the Cypriot Aphrodite field, located in Block 12 of the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and the Israeli Yishai field.

Participants in the upcoming talks will include government experts, legal advisors, and representatives from the companies managing the fields, most notably the American energy giant Chevron, which operates the Aphrodite field. The core of the dispute involves the geological intersection of the natural gas reservoir, which spans across the maritime borders of both nations. The upcoming meeting aims to resolve long-standing licensing and technical disagreements that have persisted for years, following previous preliminary efforts to reach a settlement.

While the negotiations are intended to bridge gaps between the two states, this session marks a continuation of ongoing diplomatic and technical efforts to unlock the potential of the offshore resources. Future progress remains dependent on the ability of the legal and technical teams to harmonize the exploitation rights across the shared geological formation.